Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-27

cuse, headache, pleaded for her.
The next day Nine. De Noirville came to
aeo them just as they had returned from a
drive Julia had como with the intention Of
pleading Raymond's cause in his demand for
the hand of Mile. Forney, Raymond had
driven her over, but had not attempted to
enter tho house; but as N. Forney stepped
forward TO receive Nine. De Noirville, Ray
mond sprang to the side of Suzanne, who re-
ceived him with a GOODNESS so marked that no
drew back in alarm. His eyes questioned her
in vain for the cause of this sudden change
! He thought;
"Sac must have awakened and resented
such a liberty. What shall do"
"Oh, mademoiselle, pardon me, implore."
SIN what have you offended that you nsli
my pardonp said she, more coldly and
haughtily, il possible, than before.
81 thought feared-that was unhappy
enough to have in some way vexed YOU
"You are mistaken" said she, bowling, and
leaving him speeches..
Raymond managed to make a sign to his
mother, begging her TO say nothing to Ii.
Forney on tho subject SO near his heart, and
their conversation was therefore on ordinary
topics, and they soon took their leave
1t would be too much to say that Suzanne
regretted her severity, but it is very sure that
her heart ached heavily oil the time, and she
lost color and spirit, so much so as to seri-
ously disuuiet her father, who feared that she
was i'll, but she declared herself perfectly
/ well.
J "Well, do you feel contentad herol Would
/ YOU like to 60 away, to Paris or any other
I placcl You have only to say what you wish,
YOU know, my child, to find me willing"
~ am perfectly happy here, father" she
! replied, "and like this quiet, peaceful exist
/ ence far better than would a gayer place.
So say no more, pray you"
/ The real reason that she did not wish to
leave her present home for Paris was that she
knew that Raymond's vacation ended very
soon, and that he then would be near her
there following her at every turn, and here
she would be free.
Summer passed all too swiftly, and autumn
came with its gorgeous beauty OF coloring
and its wealth of harvest, and October had
nearly gone. Already the nights were cold
! and frosty, though tho days were bright and
sunny. and Suzanne wandered about their
park and even into the forest beyond. as II
She hunted her lost peace of mind. Her young
heart was heavy with unshed tears, but
though she knew she loved Raymond, she
had been through such awful and strange OK.
periences that she was matured far beyond
her age, and her reason and knowledge Of the
past taught her that love or marriage with
an honorable man with an untarnished name
was not for her; that fate had ordered that
her life should be passed alone.
One day rs she sat on q fallen tree absorbed
in these thoughts, her tears fell unheeded
upon her cheeks for her withered youth and
lonely future which fathers love could
now never fill, and she thought she heard a
step behind her.
She knew so well who was there that she
did not even turn her head, but by supreme
effort Of will conquered her agitation and her
face wore mask of scorn and naughty dis
dain as Raymond came in front Of her, and
joining his hands exclaimed;
Suzanne, Suzanne, have pity on mel"
SYou can have nothing to say to me that
wish to hear. beg, therefore, you will per-
nit me TO pass
@No; this life is intolernblel You treat me
as if were tho veriest wretch on earth. 1t is
not so that an honest mans love should be
trampled upon"
a do NOT know what you refer to. l simply
find your attentions distasteful and 1 wish to
make you so understand. As you seem to be
unable to understand actions am obliged to
tell you so"
She wished to pass him, but he stepped in
front of her, saying:
@You shall not 60 until you have heard
me-"
~Your action makes me but the more posi-
irkN in, tnftt IN
speak to you. Since you threaten me, re-
gard you as a coward"
$50 be it. l am q coward"
She recoiled little before Raymond, who
seemed no longer to be able to control him
self But behind her was the ravine, with its
abrupt and stony bank, so that she could not
escape him that way without danger, and she
turned to him, saying angrily:
SIf you make one step toward mo l shall
throw myself down."
Suzanne, pity YOU"
aMel You pity meP
@Yes, for you must love me well 10 treat
mo in this manner. You must have some
reason why you do not want-not dare &c
cept my love, and thus try to hide your own.
I feel now what have never dared hope
you do love me-"
"You are utterly mistaken; / do not love
YOU Inever did, never shall, and your love
is an offense to me-"
"Suzannel you ore very hard, very cruel.
Listen. Impose upon me any condition you
think necessary. However hard it may be
will accept"
Still no answer.
"Then there remains but one thing for me,
and that Is death. cannot live without
hope, without your love. Adieu, Suzanne.
May you DO happy"
And the young man, in a half demented
condition, raised the muzzle Of his gun and
| placed 1t against his heart, both barrels
/ loaded, and before Suzanne could SPEAK
raised his boot to strike the triggers. Suzanne
sprang forward Involuntary and caught the
muzzle, turning it slightly, SO that the tive
charges wlzzed by her head and the powder
| burned her dress
Her heart melted. One second more and
he would have been lyinga corpse at her feet
and, forgetting all that had seemed to her
such potent reasoning, she sank to her former
seat, powerless and faint.